• The Hero I Loved by Patrick Carden

    Another chapter of my life has come to a close. Today we laid my hero to rest. I already miss him greatly and know I will miss him more in the coming days. But I also rejoice in knowing he finished his race and is receiving his reward. Even though he grew weary and tired…

  • The Exclusively Inclusive Love of God by Patrick Carden

    I’m sure almost everyone can agree on one thing, Jesus sided with the outcasts and oppressed.  He was at odds with the Pharisees and hung around the poor, weak, outcasts, foreigners and prostitutes.  Jesus was himself from the edge of society with a ministry to those who were considered the least. Jesus didn’t choose only…

  • Enlarge Your Vision by Patrick Carden

    Years ago, a famous golfer was invited by the king of Saudi Arabia to play golf in a tournament. He accepted the invitation, and the king flew his private jet over to the United States to pick up the pro.  They played golf for several days, and enjoyed a good time.  As the golfer was…

  • I Hereby Resolve…..by Greg Austin

    My New Year’s Resolutions, 2013  I have studiously avoided falling into the New Year’s Resolutions trap for all of my adult life. I’ve seen too many failed diets, too many failed self-improvement promises over the years, and rather than set myself up for inevitable failure, I have simply avoided disappointment through disengagement. But this year…

  • One of the Best Christmas Gifts by Patrick Carden

    I posted this as a Facebook note in December 2009 after a trip to New York and thought I would post it to my blog and share it again.  The Christmas Gift I Received in NY. by Patrick Carden on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 6:54pm When I was planning my trip to New York,…

  • Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner? by Patrick Carden

    So many times Christians use phrases and justify them by saying “it’s in the Bible” or “scripture says” but a lot of these phrases really aren’t in scripture.  The one that I really have a problem with is “hate the sin, love the sinner.” Nowhere in scripture will you find the idea of “hate the…

  • Speak Softly and Love Loudly by Patrick Carden

    Christians have an image problem.  “The very word “Christianity” is a misunderstanding – in truth, there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.” – Friedrich Nietzsche That’s a bold statement!  But sadly, I think in some ways it’s true even though it is painful.  And I don’t think Nietzsche is the only…

  • Dream Big! by Patrick Carden

    Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) John Maxwell…